Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Probe into case transferred to CBI

Junior doctors and medical students stage a protest. Pic/PTI

The investigation of the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case on Tuesday was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Calcutta High Court directed police to hand over all documents related to the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case to CBI by 10 am on Wednesday. The HC was hearing three Public Interest Litigations filed over the case when it asked the case to be handed over.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday had vowed that she would transfer the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case to the central probe agency if the Kolkata police failed to solve the case by August 18.

The victim's body was found in a lecture hall at the government-run hospital early on Friday, and on Saturday, a volunteer from the community was taken into custody in relation to the crime.

Per a PTI report, the division bench headed by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam expressed dismay at the absence of substantial progress in the Kolkata Police's probe five days after the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case. The state's attorney reported that one individual had been arrested and that over twenty-five statements had been recorded, but the court found that the overall level of development was insufficient.

The bench chastised Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the medical college, for his lack of initiative in addition to moving the investigation. The court put Ghosh, who submitted his resignation on Monday, on extended leave. The bench also expressed surprise at his quick reinstatement as principal of another medical college in Kolkata, the PTI report added.

The court took note of the strong feelings conveyed by interns and junior doctors in West Bengal over the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, who have been refusing to work in protest of the occurrence and calling for increased security for medical personnel.

Reportedly, the bench acknowledged their emotions but emphasised on the doctors' "pious obligation" to continue treating patients at government hospitals and urged them to return to work.

Three weeks from now, the court will hear the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case once the CBI provides a progress report.

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Doctors to continue protest

The doctors and medical students of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, after Calcutta HC ordered a CBI probe into the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, said they support the decision but their protest will continue until the accused are identified and punished. They further noted that their protest will be carried on until their demands--installation of CCTV cameras, establishment of security measures, providing compensation to victim's family--are met.

With ANI inputs